1. The Academic Literature BHV 390: Research Methods Kimberly Porter Martin, Ph.D.

2. Non-Academic References
Kinds of Literature
Non-Academic References
Encyclopedias
Dictionaries
Textbooks
References
Newspapers
Magazines
You usually may not cite these in literature reviews. Use them to locate authors the names of authors for whom you want to search in the academic literature.

3. Kinds of Literature Academic References Scholarly books
Edited books/volumes
Peer-reviewed journal articles
Theses and Dissertations
Government Documents
These are the kinds of references you may cite in literature reviews

4. The Academic Literature
There are three general types of academic literature:
1. Academic books
Written by a single expert* author
2. Edited volumes
Each chapter is written by a different expert*, with the book assembled by an expert* in the field
3. Journals
Frequently published periodicals containing a group of articles that present recent research results or new theoretical presentations.
*experts become experts through their participation in research in their fields

5. The Special Nature of Journal Articles
Journal articles have a special role in presenting research results because:
They are published at least several times a year, making scientific knowledge available in a timely fashion.
They follow strict standards for submission.
They require pre-publication review by peers to maintain organized skepticism.
They do not pay their authors; the prestige of publishing is the reward they offer.

6. Secondary citations are generally unacceptable.
Primary Citations You read Jones who gives a definition for self esteem. You give the definition and cite Jones.
Secondary citations. You read Smith who gives Jones’ definition for self esteem. You give Jones’ definition and cite Smith.
Secondary citations are generally unacceptable.

7. How to Begin a Systematic Literature Review
1. Choose a concept or population as a starting point.
2. Generate lists of:
-The disciplines that are likely to be involved
-The types of academic references most relevant
-Key words and terminology to use in the search
3. Locate a wide variety of academic sources
4. Mine the sources for information and take notes

8. Mining an Academic Reference
Look for Theoretical Approaches
Names of theories
Perspectives of theories
All possible definitions for each relevant concept including
- aspects/components of each concept/definition
- comparisons/contrasts between definitions
4. Assumptions
5. Predictions
6. Logical relationships used to connect any of the above

9. Mining an Academic Reference
Look for How Each Concept Has Been Studied?
1. Instruments/items used to measure each concept
2. Ways in which data was collected
Survey
Interview
Observation
Participant-Observation
Content Analysis
Case Study

10. Mining an Academic Reference
Look for Populations Studied for Each Concept
type of populations
significant demographic characteristics of populations
populations that have been left out in the study of each concept

11. Mining an Academic Reference
Look for Results of Studies for Each Concept
Descriptions of variables that are associated with each concept
Populations that are affected by each concept
Associations that have been demonstrated
Cause and effect relationships that have been demonstrated

12. Mining an Academic Reference
Look for Gaps/Problems with the Research
Reliability – does the study need to be replicated to assure reliability?
Validity – does the study measure what it says it measures?
Are there other populations that should be studied?
Are there ways in which the methodology should be improved?
Do the authors make suggestions for future research?

13. Mining an Academic Reference
Look for
References cited in the article, book or government report that you might read to contribute to your literature review.

14. How to Read an Academic Reference
Skim before reading entire document
Consider your own orientation and/or project
Organize material as you read by highlighting
Organize material as you read by charting
Evaluate as you read
NOTE: You will read/review many more sources than you will be able to use in your literature review.

15. Getting the Big Picture Out of Your Literature
Read and analyze all of the references you have gathered and then assign each a number.
Generate a list of concepts/topics and populations that your references say may be important in understanding your topic
Highlight using colors to distinguish different topics
Create a matrix of variables that shows what references/articles address each one.

16. Highlighting in References
Highlight theory in one color
Highlight methods in another color
Highlight information about each concept in a different color.
Highlight information about each population in a different color
Make hard copies and use highlighting pens
Use the highlight function in your word processor to highlight in electronic files.

17. Chart Topics and Populations
Assign each reference (book, chapter, article, etc.) a number
Put the numbers of your references in the columns in a table
List each relevant topic and/or population that you find in your references in the rows at the left in your table.
For each topic and/or population check the columns of each reference that covers it.
Each row in the table becomes a section or subsection in your paper.

18. Keeping Track of Information
Topic 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Etc
Racism X
Gender
Income
Education
Etc.

19. Powerpoint Study Guide
Critical Evaluation
Academic sources
Non-academic sources
Books
Peer-Reviewed Journal Articles
Edited Volumes
Master’s Theses
Doctoral Dissertations
Primary Citations
Secondary Citations
Highlighting in References
Charting References